Add SublimeText to Windows Context Menu

Since I've made the switch, I've loved SublimeText.  It is by far superior to Notepad++.  There are some small things that I'm still working out, but I'm sure with time they'll go away.  One of those things was the context menu was missing.  I'm sure this was due to me using the portable installer, but it's a must for me to have!  Doing a simple search on the web, I came across this gist that does exactly what I needed:

Here's the code in its entirety... You just never know with the web. ;)

@echo off
SET st2Path=C:\Program Files\Sublime Text 2\sublime_text.exe
 
rem add it for all file types
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2"         /t REG_SZ /v "" /d "Open with Sublime Text 2"   /f
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2"         /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /v "Icon" /d "%st2Path%,0" /f
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2\command" /t REG_SZ /v "" /d "%st2Path% \"%%1\"" /f
 
rem add it for folders
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2"         /t REG_SZ /v "" /d "Open with Sublime Text 2"   /f
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2"         /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /v "Icon" /d "%st2Path%,0" /f
@reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\Open with Sublime Text 2\command" /t REG_SZ /v "" /d "%st2Path% \"%%1\"" /f
pause

Add Notepad++ to the context menu

This little regedit keeps coming in handy.  Thought I’d add it here so it’s easy for me to find and the other 2 of you that read this blog.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Open with Notepad++\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe\" \"%1\""

Save that into a file with the extension .reg and double click it to add to the registry.  You’ll now see Open with Notepad++ in the context menu.

Pretty awesome, eh?  You can add whatever else you like to your context menu as well.  As always though be cautious when modifying the registry.

I’ve seen people wreck, destroy, obliterate their machine fiddling with things they shouldn’t have.  With that said, have fun doing it!

This post was inspired by: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/29942-notepad-context-menu.html

Use Notepad++ instead of SharePoint Designer

I build and configure a lot of VM’s and I found a need to keep my IDE consistent across all of them.  Since I use Notepad++ for most, if not all, of my code; it’s absolutely necessary for me to have the same toolset no matter what VM I’m working in.  I’ve taken what I liked most about SPD and added it to Notepad++.  You’ll notice when you right click, you can select a tag, for example.  I’ve added a whole lot more capabilities also.  Check out the video to see what you can do with it. 

How to get it installed?

Unfortunately DropBox allows you to only share files.  For now, you can download the ProgramFiles/AppData from here.  You don’t need DropBox to make this work either.  All you have to do is install Notepad++ and then rename the Notepad++ folders.  Put a new Notepad++ folder in its place instead, then copy the files from above into those folders. 

The Sysinternals Suite helps by providing the junction.exe tool.  Without this, I’d have to manage my IDE in many different environments and I would never have the same experience across the board.  I highly recommend to have these tools on your box if you want to do anything remotely fun with your computer.

What can I do with it?

Lots!  This is just a glimpse into what you can do with it.  I didn’t even have enough time to go over the code snippets.  I hope you enjoy your new Notepad++ capabilities.  Definitely click on the Plugins menu and explore.  There’s a whole lot of interesting things you can do with it.

Update: I almost forgot to mention where I learned the junction.exe technique from.  My buddy Ravikanth Chaganti first introduced me to the technique with this post.  Excellent work Ravi!

 

Technorati Tags: Notepad++,IDE,Scripting